Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
The Integrity Burden of Centralizing Mining Permits
Opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in Tempo.
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Pro-environment gimmicks: a survey of regulatory gaps in natural resource, land, and energy management
Jakarta, June 4, 2024—CELIOS has launched a study titled “Pro-Environment Gimmick: A Survey of Regulatory Gaps in Natural Resource, Agrarian, and Energy Management.” The study’s findings reveal significant gaps between regulations and practices on the ground. Muhammad Dzar Azhari Muthahhar, a CELIOS researcher, emphasized, “58% of respondents stated that mining governance in Indonesia still does not take environmental impacts into account. This runs counter to the obligations of mining business permit holders.”
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TAPERA for Wh(o)at? Analyzing the pros and cons of the People's Housing Savings Program
The People’s Housing Savings (Tapera) issue came to the fore after the issuance of Government Regulation No. 21 of 2024, which requires workers earning above the regional minimum wage to contribute 2.5% of their salary each month. In its Policy Brief “TAPERA for Wh(o)at? Analyzing the Pros and Cons of the People's Housing Savings Program,” CELIOS highlights the policy’s economic impact. CELIOS Director of Digital Economy Nailul Huda said, “The Tapera policy causes GDP to decline by IDR 1.21 trillion, business profits to fall by IDR 1.03 trillion, and
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CELIOS x 350 Indonesia: opportunities and challenges in community-based renewable energy financing
Jakarta, 20 May 2024–350.org and CELIOS launched the study “Economic Impact and Financing Opportunities for Community-Based Renewable Energy”, which shows that community-based renewable energy has the potential to contribute Rp10,529 trillion to GDP over 25 years. Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS, stated, “The positive impact of community-based renewable energy can also reduce poverty by more than 16 million people. There are employment opportunities amounting to
Read publicationThe Institutionalization of Oligarchy in Prabowo’s Cabinet
An opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in Tempo.
Read publicationPresidential Election Dispute and the Constitutional Court’s Legal Breakthrough
Opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in Detik.
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CELIOS x WALHI: Geothermal Energy: Economic and Environmental Impacts
Jakarta, March 5, 2024 – The development of Geothermal Power Plants (PLTPs) in Indonesia, although promoted as part of the energy transition, has social and economic impacts on local communities. Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS, emphasized, “The capital-intensive nature of geothermal projects tends not to generate significant multiplier effects for local economies. Instead, local communities often see geothermal development as an obstacle to productivity in agriculture and fisheries.” CELIOS’s study projects that farmers could lose up to IDR 470 billion in income, alongside a decline of tens of thousands of jobs at several sites in East Nusa Tenggara.
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CELIOS x CREA: Economic and health impacts of the nickel processing industry
Jakarta, 20 February 2024— Global demand for nickel is rising alongside the growing popularity of electric vehicles. To increase state revenue by exporting only processed nickel, President Joko Widodo banned nickel ore exports in 2020. Nickel downstreaming is now an important issue for Indonesia amid an election year. The ban on nickel ore exports and the expansion of domestic processing have increased the value of nickel exports from USD 4 billion in 2017 to USD 34 billion in
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The economic impact of early retirement of coal-fired power plants
A study by Yayasan Indonesia CERAH and CELIOS found that the early retirement of coal-fired power plants (PLTUs), replaced by renewable energy plants, is more economically beneficial. Bhima Yudhistira, CELIOS Executive Director, stated, “The scenario of retiring coal-fired PLTUs alongside the development of renewable energy plants could contribute IDR 82.6 trillion to the economy, create 639,000 jobs, and reduce poverty by 153,755 people nationwide.” Agung Budiono from CERAH added, “Between early retirement
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Recommendations for Indonesia's sustainable taxonomy
The energy transition requires long-term financing support, so financial industry regulations must evolve to promote financing for green and sustainable sectors. The green taxonomy is one step toward achieving this goal. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has issued the Green Taxonomy as a guide for the financial industry to classify green financing. This guide is expected to create transparency and monitor green financing commitments, which can subse
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Indonesia's energy transition readiness index
The readiness of Indonesian regions to transition from high-carbon energy to renewable energy remains uneven. CELIOS’ study, “Indonesia's Energy Transition Readiness Index,” found that “90% of provinces in Indonesia are not adequately prepared, with around 70% (24 provinces) at medium readiness and 20% (7 provinces) at low readiness,” said Media Wahyudi Askar, CELIOS Director of Public Policy. Regional readiness is influenced by per capita energy consumption, women’s involvement, and levels of climate and energy vulnerability.
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The positive effects of the green economy transition on economic indicators
Jakarta, December 19, 2023— The transition to a green economy is expected to have a significant impact on Indonesia, contributing up to IDR 2,943 trillion to GDP over the next 10 years and creating up to 19.4 million new jobs. A study by CELIOS and Greenpeace Indonesia shows that this transformation could also increase worker income by up to IDR 902.2 trillion and reduce inequality between provinces. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized the role of the government and private sector in supporting
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